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Former TNT boss arrested in the United States

Following weeks on the run, the former Managing Director of The New Times Publications S.a.r.l, was arrested on Tuesday as he attempted to enter the United States of America. According to police, John Bosco Sanyu was held in response to an Interpol Red Notice issued by the Rwanda National Police after he skipped a five-year jail term he was sentenced to a few months ago.

Following weeks on the run, the former Managing Director of The New Times Publications S.a.r.l, was arrested on Tuesday as he attempted to enter the United States of America.

According to police, John Bosco Sanyu was held in response to an Interpol Red Notice issued by the Rwanda National Police after he skipped a five-year jail term he was sentenced to a few months ago.

Sanyu has been missing since court found him guilty of embezzling funds amounting to Rwf 51million during his tenure at the media house.

“We can confirm that he was arrested at a US airport as he tried to enter the country and we shall request for his extradition to Rwanda to complete his jail sentence,” said Supt. Tony Kuramba who heads Interpol Rwanda chapter.

According to Kuramba, Police used its global network through Interpol to apprehend Sanyu “just like we do for other people trying to run from the long arm of the law.”

The verdict which was passed by the Gasabo Lower Instance Court, also ordered Sanyu, who was at the helm of the company for two years, to reimburse all the embezzled funds.

“As of now, he is under the US immigration authorities,” said Kuramba who was until recently, the acting Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Sanyu, it emerged during the hearings, had used his position as Managing Director to take money from company’s coffers for personal use.

“Our message to the people is that the police service has the capacity to catch up with criminals wherever they may run because it’s an obligation for all police services worldwide to cooperate,” said Kuramba.

On whether fresh charges will be preferred against Sanyu for his escape; Kuramba said that the decision would be taken by court.

“At the moment, we are focusing on him coming back to complete his sentence,” he said.

During the trial, Sanyu was also found guilty of presenting falsified documents to the court.